O'Brien, Patrick.
YOU ARE THE FIRST KID ON MARS
New York : Putnams, 2009
IL K-3, RL 3.2
ISBN 0399246347

How would you like to travel to a far, far away place like Mars? This planet is a long way from Earth, but with advances in science and technology, it might be possible in the future to visit and live on this planet also called the Red Planet. But you are wondering how would you be able travel to a planet that is millions of miles away. You would take several types of transportation to reach Mars. First, you would take an elevator. Elevator? Yes, this would be a special kind of space elevator, where you ride an elevator car along really, really long cables anchored to the surface and extending into outer space. A space station is located at the end of the elevator. From this station you board a vehicle that is powered with a new type of engine that can travel faster than the space shuttles and the moon rockets. In fact, so fast, that you would be moving at more than 75,000 miles per hour. But you would have to be very patient because it would take four months to reach your destination. So you settle in for a long trip. Inside the vehicle, you find small crowded rooms, but to make your trip more comfortable, there is an exercise room with a television, and even a library. Finally, you come near Mars. There is a space station hovering above Mars, so your vehicle docks there first, then you take another special vehicle called the Mars Lander to reach the Red Planet. Now the exciting moment comes when you land and you are about to step outside. Get ready for an amazing Martian adventure!  (May Harn Liu, may@mailbox.sc.edu. librarian)